Right On Track

Chapter 53

Carlos Sainz

The Monza race week finally came around,a home race for Ferrari in Italy.With September starting,Carlos should have found himself happier since it would be his birthday on the first.But he still felt bothered by what had happened in Zanvoort.
Carlos made his way to the hotel,stopping for the enormous crowd of Italian fans that waited outside for him and Charles.
Carlos signed many items,took multiple pictures.He even recieved multiple birthday wishes from the fans.He smiled at that as he finished up,walking back into the  hotel.
"Media day tomorrow."Charles shrugged.
"A lot of work to do."Carlos chuckled,knowing that it would be a busy day for Ferrari.
"Where are you going after this?"Charles asked.
Carlos looked out the window nearby,seeing the whole crowd that hadn't even come close to clearing up."Not sure if I can..."
Charles laughed,looking out the window as well.
"What about you?"
"Going out with Alora."Charles said."Though,I might have to sneak out through the back of the hotel."
Carlos thought about that for a moment...He was going out with Alora?One Mercedes and one Ferrari driver.
Carlos had the idea to add on more to that.
"Uh,Charles..."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think that I could join?"Carlos asked.
"Sure."Charles nodded.
"And maybe,a little favour too..."
Charles arched a brow and Carlos continued."You think you could get Alora to invite Kiara?"
"Oh,my lord,Carlos."Charles chuckled,pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Please."Carlos said.
His teammate looked at him for a long moment,thinking about it.Then,he said."Fine,I'll ask."
"Oh,gracias."Carlos smiled as they clasped hands.Then,they went up to their rooms.
Carlos,no matter how much Kiara thought it couldn't work again,he wouldn't stop trying.Besides,it wasn't like she was looking for someone else.
And Carlos would try,like he had done before.He would have to start all over again and try to make her see,like he had been doing so since the day in Silverstone 2022 when she had first rejected him.
He wasn't going to let go that easily.

Kiara Wolff

"What?"Kiara frowned and checked her watch."Now?For dinner?"
"Yeah,"Alora said."No backing out.See you soon."
And with that,Alora hung up before Kiara could object.
"What the hell."Kiara muttered to herself,shaking her head as she moved over to get ready.
Alora had just suddenly called and invited her to dinner,saying that she had to be ready in about fifteen minutes.
Kiara didn't mind going...But What bothered her was the fact that Alora didn't mention who else was going.
Kiara got ready,putting on a linen shirt and white flare jeans.She sighed to herself as she finished up and started to leave the hotel room.She didn't know what to think.What happened in Zanvoort...it was stuck in her mind.And she felt some regret in terms of what she had said.
When going down to the hotel lobby,Kiara glanced around to find Alora.
She checked her watch,seeing that she was on time.But Alora wasn't there.
Kiara frowned and waited for about two minutes.When her sister didn't pitch up,she pulled out her phone and dialled her.
"Hello?"Alora answered.
"Where are you?"Kiara asked.
"Uh...At the diner?"
"You left without me?!"
Alora quickly said."Charles fetched me,okay?And besides,it was his Ferrari.There wouldn't be anywhere for you to sit."
"So,you didn't call to tell me that?!"Kiara said,knowing that she had left her own car keys all the way upstairs in her hotel room.
"Kiara,just go wait outside."Alora said."I'm sure he's already there."
"He?!"Kiara scoffed."Alora-"
Alora hung up on her.
Kiara put her phone away and crossed her arms,shaking her head to herself as she went to wait outside like Alora had said.
And once she stepped out of that hotel,she muttered a curse under her breath as she saw who was waiting at the Ferrari parked outside.
Carlos waited there,his arms crossed as he leaned his back against the side of the Ferrari.When he saw Kiara,she saw the hint of a smile.But he didn't actually let it show.
She walked down the steps of the entrance and approached him,saying."Please,don't tell me-"
"What?"He frowned,hands in the pockets of his pants as he leaned back against the car."I'm just waiting for Lando.Where are you off to?"
"Oh,"She said,hearing the words.So,he wasn't here for her? "Uh,I'm just going for dinner with-"
She paused as a smile came to his face.
"Relax,cariño."He chuckled,stepping aside and opening the car door for her."I'm here for you."
Kiara felt her cheeks heat,feeling a little embarrassed.She just diverted her gaze and got into the damn car,not looking his way as he shut the car door and moved over to his side.
He got in and started the car,starting to drive off.
They didn't speak at first,Kiara looking out the window and pretending to be distracted.
Though,breaking the silence along the drive,Carlos asked."So,what were going to do if I was actually waiting for Lando instead?"
She saw him smile a little and she looked away with a shrug."I would just take my own car."
Silence came over them again as neither chose to say anything.
But she could see it,by the look on his face,that he wanted to say something so badly,yet he held it back.
As Carlos parked the car,Kiara looked out the window only to see multiple fans  grouping up near them.
Carlos got out of the car first,immediately  receiving a cheer from the lot of people,who were already being kept back by the security of the restaurant.Of course there were so many already by now.They must have spread words like "Charles Leclerc and Alora Wolff seen" at this specific diner.
Kiara got out of the car too,also having her name called and all.
Carlos stopped for some of them,most of whom wanted pictures with him.Well,mostly him.Kiara only stopped for a few,then started to make her way into the diner.After all,who needed to see the Red Bull driver rather than the Ferrari one who was racing at the team's home race?
Kiara went inside and was shown to the table.
"Oh,you're here."Alora said as Kiara sat down across from her.
"Where's Carlos?"Charles asked from where he sat beside Alora.
"The fans got to him."Kiara shrugged,picking up the menu.
"Oh."Charles arched a brow."There are so many already?"
"Yep."Kiara nodded."Most of which are wearing Leclerc merch,since word had probably already gone around that Charles Leclerc was at this diner."
Alora chuckled and Charles just shrugged."I'll go out to them later.
"And they'll probably wait till later."Alora said.
"Hola."Carlos said,coming over to the table.
He sat down in the empty seat next to Kiara and greeted Charles and Alora.
"Got caught up?"Charles chuckled.
"Si."Carlos nodded,laughing a little.
The waiter came over and took their orders after a few minutes.
Then,Kiara tried to distract herself by looking around the restaurant.Anywhere but Carlos.
"No offence,"Alora said."But you two look like McDonalds employees in the new merch."
"Hey,we don't pick this stuff out."Charles sighed,raising his palms in defence."So..."
"I mean,it's not too bad...Besides,we do not  look like McDonalds employees."Carlos said.
Kiara almost glanced his way as she asked."Can I get a happy meal,please?"
Alora burst out into laughter and Kiara grinned,Carlos giving each of them a flat look.
"No,now you will not get a happy meal."Carlos said to Kiara and crossed his arms.
"Aww."Kiara pouted,just to add some humour to the moment.
"Carlos,you kind of just admitted it by saying that."Charles told him.
"What-"
"Shut up.My food is here."Kiara said,giving Carlos a dismissive wave.
It was strange...In that moment,she almost forgot about everything.And everything went back to normal in that moment.
But Kiara went quiet again soon after.
She picked at her food a little,rather listening to all the talk instead of participating.
Though,when she looked up from her food,she found herself looking in that certain direction.
As Alora and Charles chatted away,she met Carlos' gaze and he smiled,motioning to her food."Not liking it?"
"I am."She snapped,poking her fork into the pasta.
"You barely even put some in your mouth."He said.
"Stop watching me eat and go back to your own food."She told him.
"Not until you eat."He shrugged.
"Excuse me?"She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I won't eat mine until you eat yours."He said.
"Then starve."She said,giving a sweet smile."The only way you'll get me to is by  shoving it down my throat."
He looked at her for a long moment,then snickered.
"You little-"She lightly whacked his arm as he laughed.
"This is abuse!"Carlos laughed out as she hit him again soon after.
"Mate,that's what you call being around a Wolff."Charles commented.
Alora scowled at him,making as though she would hit him too.
"See!"Charles said as she playfully hit his shoulder.
"You two are so dramatic."Kiara playfully rolled her eyes.